[update] We are sure now: On 22.03.2016, the locomotive made its first run after its crash in 2011

Meet ECR E 186 172-3. Quite a surprise, as we were not expecting to meet again with this locomotive. In 2011 the machine was taken out of service after an accident in the workshops of Saarbrücken. Since then, the machine was seen several times, being parked around the Bombardier factory in Kassel.

Not only is it good to see the machine return to service, after five years of stand-still, but it also returns with fresh new paint. Like 186 161-180/301-320, it originally had the light grey ECR livery with yellow fronts. Now it is the first of its batch to turn red, having the livery of DB Cargo, ECR's mother company. Also new, REV date 22.03.2016. (Christian Klotz)

Also not very common on a DB Cargo locomotive of this type: a name, Ian.

You may have read about the current re-organization of the Deutsche Bahn. Together with consultation company McKinsey, it is redefining its services and organizational structure, so it can face the rapidly changing market circumstances.

One of the measures taken is the merger of all rail transport services of the Deutsche Bahn into one division now called 'Traffic & Transport'. Railfreight logistics is taken out of the logistics division and will continue under the 'good old' DB Cargo brand name. To the outside world the Traffic & Transport division will brand itself as 'DB' so we don't expect locomotives nor carriages to get DB Cargo logos again. So the DB logo currently in use will stay as it is.

Until the end, all international railfreight divisions (for example DB Schenker Rail Polska and DB Schenker Rail Italia) will be renamed as DB Cargo.

The non-rail logistic services will continue under the name DB Schenker. Separating the rail related activities from the rest fits the strategy to (partially) sell the new DB Schenker. DB has intentions to do this, but faces strong opposition form the German government. To be continued.

For our website, it means we have to rename the owner name of several thousands of locomotives. This will be done in one big batch. We are working on it.

Some locomotives just won't leave. The newest Traxx MS locomotives for DB Schenker/ECR are already hanging around the Kassel factory for months. Among them are E 186 319, 320, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344 and 345. In January a whole batch was parked in Kassel Rangierbahnhof, today two of them returned to work. - CK/RK
ECR + DB E186ECR + DB E186

2011

2011-12-15

[DE/FR] The last one for Euro Cargo Rail (Traxx MS 186 345)

update 2011|12|15

[DE/FR] The last one for Euro Cargo Rail (Traxx MS 186 345)

Today, ECR E 186 345-5 completed its maiden run. It is the last one of the current batch of 65 Traxx MS locomotives on order by DB Schenker / Euro Cargo Rail. The complete serie:

DB Schenker 186 331 completed its maiden run today. - 183 701 is now in service of RTS again - Siemens ER 20-2007 and three HLE18 locomotives for the Belgian railways. A lot is going on about these Belgian locomotives, of which the delivery is delayed. At the end of April things were looking good, with trial runs in revenue time tables, now all tests with these new machines are stopped again? As long as we do not get clear what exactly is going on, we keep it quiet here. Who can help us to bring some light in this matter, can mail us of course.
ECR + DB E186SNCB HLE 18-19Stock locomotives type ES 64 U4

A lot of trials today. First the next DB Schenker 186: no. 329 on its maiden run to Fulda - Then Bombardier testing its pantographs under 1500 kV catenary with Traxx MS units 186 184 and 186 - The new RTS 2016 908 - Then we see Siemens 183 701 before or after the press presentation of the Train of Ideas in Hamburg-Altona. - Metrans 761 002 on trial in the Czech Republic.
ECR + DB E186Metrans 761Stock locomotives type ES 64 U4

Today, a red painted E 186 321-6 left Kassel for its maiden run. It has no logos, but its NVR markings tell us that it is a machine for DB Schenker. Most likely it is the first of a batch of 45 that DB Schenker ordered last year. However the new sibling raises new questions; why a white 'Holland' front, when the machine is configured for Belgium, Germany and France? Why does this unit have number 321 and not 301? The number serie 301-345 is still open so that would fit nicely. Hopefully we know more soon. By the way, 186 322 is spotted too. - CK
ECR + DB E186

2010-02-11

[EU] Red E186 with 'Holland-Latz' spotted

update 2010|02|11

[EU] Red E186 with 'Holland-Latz' spotted

Today, one can see a red painted Traxx MS locomotive in the frontyard of the Bombardier factory in Kassel. It has a white front surface similar to DB Schenker 189s running in the Netherlands (something the German tend to refer to as the 'Holland-Latz'). Its service number is E186 321.
ECR + DB E186

2009

2009-06-30

[DE] DB Schenker E 186 series

update 2009|06|30

[DE] DB Schenker E 186 series

There is more information about the additional 45 Traxx F140 MS locomotives which have been ordered by DB Schenker. Their service numbers will be 186 401-445. Together with 20 machines in the colours of EuroCargoRail they form a batch of 65. - Eisenbahn Kurier
ECR + DB E186ECR + DB E186

2009-05-18

[DE] Transport Messe in Munich

update 2009|05|18

[DE] Transport Messe in Munich

Some snapshots from the Transport Messe in Munich last week. Most interesting was the DB announcing its purchase of 65 Traxx MS electrics. The exhibited E186 173 in ECR livery is from the first batch of 20 (E186 161-180) which belongs to this order. ECR, EuroCargoRail, is a subsidiary of DB Schenker Rail UK (former EWS). What the exact configuration of the remaining 45 machines will be and in which colours they will be painted, is unknown. By the way, in Munich also scale models were seen of a Traxx DE in SNCF Fret livery and a Traxx-DC for GTS from Italy. - KAR/HdJ/DB
Bombardier Traxx DE stock locomotivesECR + DB E186ECR + DB E186GTS Rail E483

2008

2008-03-27

[DE] the DB about its new corporate identity

update 2008|03|27

[DE] the DB about its new corporate identity

In the current issue of Railways (01.2008), a magazine published online by the DB/Railion, an article can be found in which the DB makes clear how its new names, logos and identity will be applied on its rolling stock. For locomotives, not much will change; what was expected becomes reality, all machines will get only a DB logo, because this subscribes the neutral character of DB Schenker and DB Intermodal (Both DB subsidiaries for freight operation) in respect to its customers that operate in the (inter)national logistics market too. - Railways / Railion.com
DB 145DB 152DB: 182DB Schenker 189ECR + DB E186DB Schenker EG 3100DB Schenker Traxx AC1DB TRAXX F140AC2 (185.2)DBSRS 185.2